Woodblock Printing

A carved wooden block is used to produce a print by coating the surface of the wood with paint and pressing paper onto the surface of the woodblock (called the plate). The resultant proof (image) will be like a mirrored image of the wooden block image. When you carve the block you will have to remember that the image will be reversed when transferred to paper. For this reason it is best to begin with a woodblock image that is not overly complex. To begin you will need a good work surface to stop the block moving when you are carving it. If you work at home, perhaps at the kitchen table, you will need a bench block (as shown in the image below).

The bench block is a very useful device as it holds its position at the table’s edge allowing you to carve the wood plate easily. The upper rear stop-block prevents the work-piece from shooting away from you as you carve. Best of all, you can make this bench block easily yourself. Make sure when you use the bench block that the work direction is away from the table edge (this is the only way that the block will work effectively). It is also the safest way to work.

It is best to start small by using a block of wood not much bigger than your hand. The wood should be smooth and flat on the surface you intend to use for the image. If you do not have your own image in your mind you can trace an image instead. Once you are happy and have penciled the image onto the surface it is time to begin cutting. Remember that what you cut away from the block will appear ‘white’ or blank when you press the block. Woodblock printing is known as one of the reduction processes or relief printing.

The carpentry tools used in this craft are mainly chisels and small hand saws but sometimes a good knife will be useful too. A starter set will be consist of 2 chisels with rounded gouges, 2 with ‘V’ gouges and 2 with flat gouges. The flats are for shallow cuts. The chisels should be kept sharp. Where possible the cuts should be made along the grain to avoid splintering. Certain woods are better than others for wood printing. The best wood for this craft is boxwood but other good woods for carving are pear, lime, sycamore and cherry. Cherry is the hardest of these and would not be good for a beginner to use. Indeed, the beginner should use off cuts until they have mastered the basic skills.

When you have finished carving you will be left with a raised pattern on the woodblock. This is coated with paint, and paper is then pressed firmly against the raised area of the block. When the paper is peeled away it will contain the positive woodcut image. Woodcuts are the oldest form of relief printing and woodblock printing is still popular with art craft workers today.